Define Mental Illness

Mental Illness is the absence of mental health, just as death is the absence of life.

The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a being of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community". It was previously stated that there was no one "official" definition of mental health. Cultural differences, subjective assessments, and competing professional theories all affect how "mental health" is defined.

Most recently, the field of Global Mental Health has emerged, which has been defined as 'the area of study, research and practice that places a priority on improving mental health and achieving equity in mental health for all people worldwide.

(By the broad definition of mental health above it seems that many in the world need to improve their mental health ... "a state of well being ....can work productively and fruitfully and able to make a contribution to his or her community, and it is important that they include that the individual realizes his/her abilities...." !! I believe very few alive today are able to realize their abilities to the fullest extent....)